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Mind Hole

Review · Adventure · PC

Mind Hole

Reviewed: 01 Jul 2026

PC

James H. Van der Meulen · 2025

Ludograph rating

C

Mixed

48 /100

Automated review
06010030Benefit →Low risk →B 34 · R 17
The Ludograph reading, plotted from the published benefit and risk sub-scores.

Growth (BDS)

34

Risk (RIS)

17

Daily limit

90min

Age guidance

13+

Developmental benefits

B1Cognitive
0.50
B2Social-emotional
0.07
B3Motor
0.35

Mind Hole offers a unique and challenging experience that hones critical thinking, problem-solving, and learning transfer skills through its unforgiving permadeath and 'no second chances' design. Players must observe, contemplate, and adapt their strategies across multiple playthroughs, fostering deep engagement and intellectual growth. The Quick Time Mode also provides an intense test of reaction time.

Design risks

R1Compulsion-loop pressure
0.37
R2Monetization
0.00
R3Social risk
0.00

The game's core mechanics, including permadeath and progress resets upon turning off the game, create significant loss aversion and act as strong stopping barriers, potentially leading to extended play sessions to avoid losing progress. While there are no monetization risks or social risks, the 'nightmare insanity simulator' theme and potential for disturbing content (R4 fear/horror and violence) may be unsuitable for some players.

Content (not in risk score)

R4.1Violence Level
0.67
R4.2Sexual Content
0.00
R4.3Language
0.00
R4.4Substance References
0.00
R4.5Fear / Horror
1.00

Content risk is displayed separately and does not affect the time recommendation.

Regulatory design checks · DSA — Assessed: meets criteria·GDPR-K — Assessed: meets criteria·ODDS — Assessed: meets criteria

  • DSA:What Ludograph checks: whether the game's design gives minors the transparency the EU Digital Services Act expects: plain terms, honest defaults, and clear reporting routes.: Estimated from review data. No dark pattern or child-targeting concerns found.
  • GDPR-K:What Ludograph checks: whether age assurance and consent flows are designed for under-16s, in the spirit of GDPR Article 8.: Estimated from review data. No privacy or child-targeting concerns found.
  • ODDS:What Ludograph checks: whether paid random-reward drop rates are disclosed, as required in China, Japan and South Korea.: Estimated from review data. No paid random-reward mechanics found, so drop-rate disclosure requirements do not apply.

These reflect Ludograph's assessment of the game's design practices against each framework's criteria, not a legal compliance determination.

ReviewedJul 2026Report a data error →How scores are calculated →

Parents ask…

Is Mind Hole safe for kids?

Ludograph gives Mind Hole a rating of 48/100, recommended for ages 13 and up. It delivers genuine benefits but carries design risks that deserve a close look.

What age is Mind Hole appropriate for?

Ludograph's rubric recommends a minimum age of 13+ for Mind Hole, based on benefits, risks, and content review.

How long should kids play Mind Hole?

Our session recommendation for Mind Hole is up to 90 minutes per day. It is derived from the game's own structure (natural stopping points, compulsion-loop design, monetization pressure, and social dynamics), not from a universal screen-time dose.

Session recommendations are design-based heuristics. Evidence linking specific daily durations to child outcomes is limited, and context matters as much as time; treat this as a starting point for household rules, not a clinical threshold.

What are the main risks of Mind Hole?

The game's core mechanics, including permadeath and progress resets upon turning off the game, create significant loss aversion and act as strong stopping barriers, potentially leading to extended play sessions to avoid losing progress. While there are no monetization risks or social risks, the 'nightmare insanity simulator' theme and potential for disturbing content (R4 fear/horror and violence)